Tasting Notes:
This was the final can of my Hokkaido stash, graciously sent by Simon and Andy living in Hokkaido. Sapporo Classic is a 100% malt beer crafted especially for those lucky inhabitants of the northern island of Japan who have nothing better to do than enjoy some of the best seafood in Japan, with some choice brew.

Straight out of the can, Sapporo Classic is quite sweet, and almost tastes like the juices sucked out of a boiled corn cob. However, over the course of the glass, this sweet flavor gives way to some hoppy bitterness, and the full bodied flavor I’ve come to love in Sapporo beers.

If you ever find yourself in Hokkaido, do yourself a favor and grab a pint of Sapporo Classic, you won’t be disappointed.

8 Responses to Sapporo Classic

Yes indeed! For all of us who are lucky enough to live in Hokkaido, this is our every day treat! Priced the same as all other popular beers in Japan, Sapporo Classic is in a class of its own. Refreshingly smooth drinkability with a bitter hoppy bite to cut through even the biggest thirst, it has no after taste, except for the clean hops. Too bad more people around the world can’t enjoy this genuine all malt beer. Ha ha ha ha ha! Cheers from Hokkaido.

I’m confused. In the seven eleven now this beer is available. In this can. In the Family mart there is a sapporo Hokkaido gold 100% all malt beer . I have had the white can and it’s mild . The gold one seems sweeter and is in a different can ( gold and white) . Are they the same beer? I can’t find any evidence of the latter on the net . I’m in Taiwan so maybe they are slightly different.

Hi Richard,
Interesting. Many of the Asian countries get a lot of Japanese beers, but I’m really surprised you have Sapporo Classic in your 7-11. In Japan, it’s only available in Hokkaido, and I can only buy it on the internet. As to your question, Sapporo probably has the biggest beer/malt liquor product line, so I’m pretty sure they are two different beers. If you could post a picture on your blog or something I could give you a more definite answer. As to the flavor, I think we just have different palates. Cheers!

This is a fair bit hoppier than the usual suspects in its price range (200-205 up here). I’d take this over a Sapporo Black Label for that reason. I could session this, but that boiled corn cob flavor might get to me after a while. That being said, as the Classic warmed up the flavor held better than the Black Label did.

Not rubbing it in. But it is nice to have this available any time. You don’t have to shell out the premium beer price to get something decent bitterness.